Dr. Nate: Tampa’s Ortho-K Specialist

A Bright Eyes Family Vision Care and Bright Eyes Kids, we take pride in offering the most high-tech vision care services. One of the most exciting services that we offer is orthokeratology.

Although it goes by many names, including CRT and Gentle Vision Shaping System, Ortho-k is the wearing of a reshaping lens (similar to rigid gas permeable contact lens) during sleeping hours to reshape the cornea and eliminate the need for daytime glasses and contacts. An exciting side benefit is that studies have shown that those who use Ortho-k may reduce the chance rate at which their myopia is worsening.

Dr. Nate believes in Ortho-K so much, he trusts his daughter’s vision to it. Read the story here.

What Is Ortho-K

Orthokeratology uses specially designed vision retainers to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to eliminate the need for glasses. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontist to realign crooked teeth. The vision retainers are similar to contact lenses and are only worn at night while sleeping. They are then removed in the morning, providing clear vision without using glasses or contact lenses for the rest of the day! The retainers are comfortable and very easy to care for.

Ortho-K Candidate

Who is an eligible candidate? The procedure can correct myopia (nearsightedness) with or without some astigmatism. It is approved for all ages and is reversible, so it can be prescribed for kids and teens as well as adults. Since Ortho-k changes the shape of the cornea, candidates must have healthy eyes and corneas that will respond to the treatment.

Through a series of tests we can determine whether or not a patient will be a good candidate. This also gives patients (and parents) a chance to ask questions before deciding on the procedure.

Call us at 813-792-0637 to ask questions and schedule a CONSULTATION to find out if you or your child is a candidate.

We are the only office in Westchase to provide Ortho-K. If you have any questions about this exciting treatment option or want to schedule a screening, please do not hesitate to call the office at 813-792-0637 or email at office@brighteyestampa.com.

Is everyone suitable for ORTHO-K and can any doctor perform it?

The answer to both questions is no. It does not work on every patient and needs to be performed in a very exact and meticulous manner. We have received special training and have the necessary diagnostic equipment, computer software and expertise to perform ORTHO-K.The procedure also does not work well on certain shaped corneas. Also, there are several unmeasurable factors for each patient – most notably the cornea’s rigidity. Thus the speed of ORTHO-K varies with each patient. Generally, but not always, people with lower prescriptions respond faster than with higher ones. There are no age barriers for ORTHO-K. It is safe for children and adults and is an excellent alternative for children who are just first becoming nearsighted as studies have shown that ORTHO-K may prevent any further nearsightedness from occurring! Also, while success rates are very high, success cannot be guaranteed due to factors like the inability to wear the vision retainer for physiological reasons or other systemic health problems that may reduce wearing time.

Ortho-k FAQ

Why think about ORTHO-K? Why not just wear eyeglasses or contact lenses?

Both adults and children choose ORTHO-K is to be free from both contact lenses and eyeglasses during waking hours. While this is ideal for sports enthusiasts or those who work in dusty or dirty environments, for others ORTHO-K offers the appeal of being free from corrective lenses during the day. ORTHO-K also offers relief from the problems sometimes associated with full time contact lens wear like drying and things getting on or under the lenses.

Does ORTHO-K have any advantages over Laser Surgery?

There are several. ORTHO-K is less than half the cost of Laser Vision Correction Surgery. It does not involve any post-operative pain. Also, the hazy post-operative vision that can be associated with laser surgery does not occur with ORTHO-K. Both eyes can easily be done at the same time with ORTHO-K. Also, prescription changes are easy to deal with using ORTHO-K. There are no strong steroid or antibiotic drugs needed with ORTHO-K as there are during the post-operative period for laser surgery. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, ORTHO-K is reversible. Laser surgery is not.

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What does the ORTHO-K procedure involve?

A comprehensive eye health examination is performed first. Then, a corneal topographer is used to obtain a very precise computerized “map” of the cornea’s shape. This information is placed into the ORTHO-K computer software and a diagnostic retainer is fit in the office. If at that time it is determined that you are a good candidate for ORTHO-K, your own vision retainers will be ordered. It takes about one week for the retainers to be made and delivered. When your child picks up the retainers, you and they will be instructed on how to use and care for them. The maintenance is very easy and involves only one bottle of solution. If the retainers fit properly, they may wear them that first night. They should see well with the retainers on. We will see you child the first morning after you wear your retainers. They should come to the office wearing their vision retainers. We will remove them for you. Of course, should they experience any problems while at home with your retainers, simply remove them. Most of the visual changes occur rapidly over the first day. As the cornea changes shape and vision improves, we will refit and reorder successive vision retainers (if needed). During this interim period we will supply you with (no-charge) soft disposable contact lenses to be worn during the day, if needed. These are usually only needed for the first few days. For most patients, only one pair of retainers is needed.The majority of patients achieve excellent vision in only a few days – many after only one night of wear. Even after you are seeing well, we will continue to see you a while longer to ensure your cornea is adapting to the retainers. When the treatment is completed, the last retainer used will be worn on a nightly basis. Some patients are able to use the retainers every other night.

How much does ORTHO-K cost?

Depending on the complexity of the case, the total fee for the entire ORTHO-K program is $1,710 or more for all of the professional visits, retainer lenses needed to achieve optimal vision, and any needed interim soft disposable contact lenses. Lost, broken or spare retainers are available at a cost of $150 for each eye.

What are the disadvantages of ORTHO-K?

You must be prepared to allow 3 - 5 visits over a one month period. Should you stop wearing your retainers, your vision will slowly return to its original state. While the degree of success is very high, it cannot be guaranteed. However, when the corneal topography and computer software indicate a patient will be successful, it is rare that patients don’t do well with ORTHO-K. Rates and amount of improvement vary from one person to the next.

I’ve never heard of ORTHO-K. Is it new?

Attempts to re-shape the cornea have been tried since contact lenses were first developed. This process would often take over a year to complete and the results were not nearly as favorable as ORTHO-K. For this reason, many doctors and patients elected not to participate in orthokeratology. With the newer diagnostic technology used to measure the corneal shape and the newer materials being used for vision retainers, ORTHO-K is now a viable alternative for many nearsighted or astigmatism patients.